The Annual Fund

The Interlochen Fund – A Brief Explanation

• What is it, and why do you ask me to make a gift every year?

Just over $1.45 million of the more than $2.1 donated to The Interlochen Fund in fiscal year 2004 was awarded to students as scholarships and financial aid, making the Interlochen experience available to the best and brightest, regardless of financial ability. Other efforts funded by The Interlochen Fund in FY04 included support for our guest faculty program, allowing us to provide our students with the top-caliber arts education that lies at the heart of Interlochen’s mission. Gifts to our annual fund also made possible improvements to the technology infrastructure we provide to students, staff, and faculty, as well as helping us to maintain the buildings and grounds of our world-renowned, and beautiful campus.

Interlochen Center for the Arts, like all independent schools, can't charge in tuition the true cost of education. In effect, every student is subsidized. It will cost about $33 million to run Interlochen this year. Tuition covers only 69% of that. Other revenue sources, such as the Arts Festival, endowment income, and the Scholarshop, bring in another 14%. That leaves a very important 17% in the hands of our supporters through The Interlochen Fund.


• Why not raise tuition and reduce the emphasis on fundraising?

This sounds like the easiest solution. But it's a catch-22. Many families are already making considerable sacrifices to send their children here, and we are committed to maintaining our accessibility through financial aid for eligible students from around the world, who have the talent, but bring limited financial resources.

For example, tuition for the Interlochen Arts Academy runs nearly $31,000 per year, while the average Academy family income is $79,000 per year. As you can see, we are exclusive when it comes to talent, not when it comes to financial background. 70% of students at the Academy are receiving financial assistance to attend Interlochen. Raising tuition to meet the cost would mean that more families would require financial aid which would mean more need for fundraising.


• So, The Interlochen Fund will always be here, and I'll always be asked to make a gift?

Yes. Consider yourself a crucial component of the over 40,000 parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, and friends who we ask to share their resources with Interlochen each and every year. What you and others accomplish with your Interlochen Fund gift is to raise money to provide scholarship assistance to our students and campers. For every dollar given to The Interlochen Fund, 68% went directly to students in the form of scholarship, and the other 32% help us to provide them with the highest quality and most innovative faculty from across the globe, the technology they need to be successful, and a physical environment in which to grow. Your gift funds the very heart and soul of an Interlochen education.


• I'm usually asked to increase my gift. Why is that?

Annual operating costs at Interlochen Center for the Arts increase just like food and gasoline prices. As a result, tuition goes up each year, and so does our Interlochen Fund goal.


• How much should I give?

The important thing is that you do give. Every gift is important. It really depends on how much you choose to stretch your own resources to make a gift. Whether your gift is $10, $100, $1,000 or $10,000, the most important consideration is that you choose to make a difference for Interlochen Center for the Arts. If you need to benchmark your contributions, The Interlochen Fund would like to be one of the top three charitable gifts you make this year. That will mean different amounts to different people.


• Does my gift have to be in cash?

No. Although gifts are usually in the form of credit cards or checks, giving appreciated securities can be a tax-wise alternative. If you hold stocks or bonds that have appreciated in value (and that you have held for at least a year), you can give them to Interlochen Center for the Arts and save taxes twice. Take a charitable deduction for their full market value and save the capital gains tax that you would incur if you sold them. Please call Patti Tolo, Director of Annual Giving, at 231.276.7615, or e-mail at ToloPL@interlochen.org,for details on the best way to make this type of gift.


• What if I want to restrict my gift to a specific part of the operating budget, say the summer theatre program, the visual arts department, or scholarship. Can I do that?

Absolutely. However, we encourage you to speak with a development officer to be sure that your gift will have the impact you intend. Call Patti Tolo, Director of Annual Giving, at 231.276.7615, or e-mail Patti at ToloPL@interlochen.org and she can help you make a gift to a specific part of Interlochen.


• When does my gift have to arrive at Interlochen Center for the Arts?

Interlochen Center for the Arts operates on a June 1 through May 31 fiscal year, but you can give at any time. Keep in mind that gifts need to be received before December 31 for you to qualify for a tax deduction in this tax year.


• How can I find out if my employer (or my spouse's) matches gifts to independent schools, thus doubling or tripling my gift to Interlochen Center for the Arts?

Check with your personnel office. They can tell you if they have a matching gift program and will provide you with the appropriate form to include with your gift.


• What more do I need to know?

Only this. You need to know how grateful the students, faculty, staff, and trustees are for your support of Interlochen Center for the Arts. Whatever amount you decide to give, know that the most important consideration is that you choose to advance the quality and caliber of learning and performance at Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Contact Patti Tolo, Director of Annual Giving, at ToloPL@interlochen.org  or click here to make a gift.